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The Chicago Bulls Missed Coby White

Originally posted on The Lead | By Logan Stacy | Last updated Nov 18, 2025 7:13 PM ET

The Chicago Bulls have lost five of their last six games. They had the lead entering the fourth quarter in four of those games, then the other team’s star took over.

Victor Wembanyama had 18 points in the fourth quarter, including a personal 10-0 run to complete the comeback win for the Spurs. Donovan Mitchell had a personal 8-0 run with the Cavaliers down six points in the last two minutes of the game to win. Even in the one game the Bulls won, Jamal Murray had 18 as the Nuggets outscored Chicago by seven in the final period.

The Bulls simply did not have a closer to match the other team’s star… until now.

Bulls Need a Hero

Coby White made his season debut against the Jazz on a “strict” minutes restriction. He played 30 minutes. Head coach Billy Donovan couldn’t afford to take him out, especially once the game tightened in the fourth quarter and into overtime. White led the team in scoring and made several timely plays that kept Chicago in it.

Chicago opened the season with a balanced offensive approach. That philosophy, and their depth on the bench, helped them go on big runs and complete improbable comebacks, including erasing a 24-point deficit against the 76ers. It also powered their 5-0 start, all without their best scorer, and made them a leaguewide talking point. But that style can only go so far.

The Bulls have suffered several fourth-quarter collapses when they needed late baskets and couldn’t get them. Beyond Wembanyama, Mitchell, and Murray, Giannis Antetokounmpo scored 19 in the fourth, and Chicago cut the Pistons’ lead down to one in the fourth, but couldn’t find a scorer to make a lead-taking basket.

“It’s been an issue for us where the main guys have gone off in the fourth quarters and taken over games.”

Josh Giddey details what was missing defensively for the Bulls against Lauri Markkanen and Keyonte George pic.twitter.com/obBf4z4beo

— Bulls on CHSN (@CHSN_Bulls) November 17, 2025

They needed someone who could create their own shot, stop opponents’ runs, and match star players in the clutch. White delivered all of that in his first game back.

Coby is Chicago’s Closer

Against the Jazz, White checked into the fourth quarter with 6:39 remaining. He had played 18 minutes, and the final stretch would push him to his limit of 24. Lauri Markkanen, who finished with 47 points, entered around the same time. The two traded baskets for the remainder of regulation and through both overtimes.

With the game tied, Markkanen hit a three. White made a technical free throw, and Nikola Vucevic followed with a go-ahead three. Markkanen tied it again at the line. White responded with two free throws to reclaim the lead, but Markkanen answered with a baseline jumper.

White later passed out of a late double-team, assisting an Ayo Dosunmu three. Markkanen tied it again with a three of his own. White immediately answered with one.

Inside the final minute, Utah trailed by one before Markkanen put the Jazz ahead. White and Josh Giddey then ran a two-man game; White drew multiple defenders and slipped the ball to Giddey for an open floater that restored the lead. Markkanen split free throws to force overtime.

White tied the game with a driving layup to force double overtime. He then drew a foul and hit two free throws to tie it again before Keyonte George hit the game-winner for Utah.

COBY WHITE SENDS THIS ONE TO DOUBLE OT pic.twitter.com/7SHI0k7oZX

— Bulls on CHSN (@CHSN_Bulls) November 17, 2025

After the game, Donovan praised White’s impact. “I’m happy that he could have the success he could have after being out.” He also suggested this is only the beginning. “With him coming back, I think he’ll be able to build that chemistry with those guys because Coby is very easy to play with.”

Chicago found itself in the same position as previous games, but this time it had an answer. They lost the lead, but White kept bringing it back. He matched Markkanen nearly shot-for-shot and prevented the game from slipping away. It was only his first outing, yet he looked exactly like what the Bulls have been missing.

This article first appeared on The Lead and was syndicated with permission.

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